AP’s write up on McCain’s SNL …

McCain, who is trailing Democrat Barack Obama in most battleground state polls, also appeared during the show’s “Weekend Update” newscast to announce he would pursue a new campaign strategy in the closing days of the campaign.

“I thought I might try a strategy called the reverse maverick. That’s where I’d do whatever anybody tells me,” McCain said.

And if that didn’t work, “I’d go to the double maverick. I’d just go totally berserk and freak everybody out,” the Arizona senator quipped.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

On Face the Nation, Sen. Lindsey Graham just said “we’ve seen a tightening of the race [and] I really believe Obama is the virtual incumbent and if he’s not at 50 percent in North Carolina he’s not going to win.”

I’m open to the idea — actually I believe that undecideds will break disproportionately for McCain. I would say it’s become conventional wisdom, though I have yet to see any solid evidence, as opposed to informed speculation, for why that should be the case. I would say I believe it as a matter of caution as much as anything.

But in an election in which 1) the incumbent Republican president is running under 30% approval and 2) most voters believe McCain would be a continuation of the Bush presidency, to say that Obama is the “virtual incumbent” is a bit of a stretch.

On CNN this morning, Arlen Specter pretty clearly suggested that the Bradley Effect might be the key to victory for McCain in Pennsylvania. Wolf Blitzer then pressed him on the point and he drew back. Take a look …

NBC’s Chris Jansing on how Obama has to fight the stereotype that he will tax the middle class and give the money to those who either “don’t work” or “don’t deserve it” since he’s the first African-American presidential nominee …

We’ve been closing monitoring the new charges alleging that a wealthy campaign contributor (who’s also subsidized Coleman’s wardrobe) funneled Coleman $75,000 through his wife. The charges are contained in two lawsuits filed last week, one in Texas and one in Delaware. And though they contain sworn statements from the accusers they’re really just allegations. But one thing that has struck me as I’ve looked more deeply into the reporting is that the principals in the case — the alleged briber (Coleman supporter Nasser Kazeminy), the alleged cut-out (Jim Hays) and Coleman himself — really haven’t responded in any great detail to deny the charges.

Coleman has denied it, but only at the most general level. More surprising, Kazeminy has refused all comment. And Hays, whose company the money was allegedly funneled through, has declined to respond himself, and had both his lawyer and his company issue vague and cryptic statements saying that whatever was done was legitimate.

These are extremely serious charges; they amount to bribes to a sitting United States senator. If there were nothing to it, I’d expect some clearer denials and clearer explanations of the payments in question.

Zack Roth has the details.

When he was just the topic du jour because of his question to Barack Obama back in the neighborhood in Ohio, that was one thing. But “Joe the Plumber” is now actively campaigning with and for John McCain, appearing on stage with him at multiple events, etc. He has become a part of McCain’s campaign, like any other surrogate.

So here “Joe” is on TV just about an hour ago saying that people shouldn’t vote for Obama because he doubts Obama’s “loyalty to America”.

I guess saying Obama reminded him of Sammy Davis, Jr. wasn’t bad enough. But isn’t it time someone ask McCain whether he’s really willing to associate with this extremist?